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The Common Types of Abortions, Their Side Effects, And The Risks Involved.

Despite the legal restrictions and the stigma associated with abortions, it remains one of the safest procedures in medicine when done appropriately. In the United States, it is 14 times safer than childbirth.

Although unsafe abortions are a leading cause of maternal deaths, the legalization and consequent regulation of pregnancy terminations, especially in developing countries, could prevent the loss of 47,000 lives and the hospitalization of up to five million women each year.

Abortions are safer than some people think because different methods can be used to terminate a pregnancy. The deciding factor is the duration of the pregnancy. Terminating a pregnancy becomes riskier and more complicated the longer it is allowed to develop.

Pregnancy can be safely terminated in the first and second trimester with little risk of complications. Third-trimester terminations, also called late-term abortions, are often medically necessary to save the life of the mother or the baby. Still, they are riskier and quite rare in the U.S.

Most states have legalized first-trimester (up to 12 weeks of pregnancy) and second-trimester (up to 24 weeks of pregnancy) abortions. However, some states impose a limit on second-trimester abortions, restricting the termination of pregnancies after 20 weeks.

In any case, there are three main types of abortions, each of which is suited to first, second, and third-trimester terminations, respectively. They are:

• Medical abortions
• Vacuum aspiration
• Dilation and evacuation (D&E)

Medical Abortions

Getting a medical abortion is a viable option up until the 10th week of pregnancy. It involves the expulsion of a fetus using abortifacient pharmaceuticals. These drugs, when administered in tandem, work together to terminate a pregnancy in a process that can take up to a month from start to completion.

Mifepristone and Misoprostol

Mifepristone initiates the termination by inhibiting the release of progesterone, a hormone that is critical to the implantation and growth of an embryo. Misoprostol can be administered a few hours or days later to induce uterine contractions that are necessary for the expulsion of the pregnancy tissue.

The Procedure

First, mifepristone is administered at the clinic by a doctor or nurse. It is usually in pill form. After taking this pill, the patient then gets a prescription for misoprostol, which they’re required to ingest or insert vaginally after a few hours or up to 4 days after taking the mifepristone pill.

Cramping and heavy bleeding may occur 1 to 4 hours after taking the second pill, as well as symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, sweating, and the passing of small blood clots.

It typically takes 4 to 5 hours for the pills to fully expel a pregnancy. However, in some cases, it may take up to 48 hours. There may be moderate to severe discomfort experienced during this process. It is advisable to rest and recuperate fully before resuming your day-to-day activities.

It is also recommended not to engage in sex for at least two weeks after a medical abortion. Ovulation resumes after three weeks, and the patient’s menstrual cycle resumes after 4 to 6 weeks following the abortion.

Although relatively safe, medical abortion is not suitable for everyone. You should consider other options if:

• You have a kidney, lung, or liver dysfunction
• You have an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that’s implanted outside the uterus)
• You’ve been taking blood thinners or corticosteroid drugs
• You have an IUD
• You’re allergic to either of the drugs

Methotrexate and Misoprostol

These drugs are administered together to terminate pregnancies of up to 7 weeks. Methotrexate, which is primarily a cancer drug, stops the embryo’s cells from replicating, much like it does with cancerous tumors. Misoprostol is still tasked with the expulsion of the embryo, which it achieves by inducing contractions in the uterus.

Doctors rarely prescribe this form of medical abortion because it takes longer and can cause more discomfort to the patient. Its main use is in the elimination of ectopic pregnancies, which can be life-threatening if allowed to grow.

The Procedure

Methotrexate is first administered either orally or intravenously through an injection. It starts to work within the first 12 hours. Cramping and heavy bleeding may be experienced for 4 to 8 hours, and the discomfort may necessitate rest and relaxation.

The misoprostol pill can be administered 4 to 6 days after the methotrexate, either orally or vaginally.

It normally takes a few days, weeks, or up to a month for the abortion process to complete. This combination has a marginally lower success rate, which is why about 2 percent of people who opt for this type of abortion end up needing surgical termination as well.

The side effects include dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever (low-grade), diarrhea, and chills. The patient’s menstrual cycle resumes 4 to 8 weeks after the abortion.

Vacuum Aspiration

The vacuum aspiration method, also known as suction aspiration, is most suitable for first-trimester pregnancies (up to 12 weeks). Nevertheless, it can be safely used to terminate second-trimester pregnancies between 12 and 16 weeks.

Although it is one of the most common methods of abortion, vacuum aspiration is also the main contingency plan for unsuccessful medical abortions.

However, it is not suitable for women with blood clotting disorders, pelvic infections, abnormal uterine development, and severe underlying health issues.

The Procedure

Vacuum aspiration relies on gentle suction forces to pull out both the fetus and pregnancy tissue like the placenta out of the uterus. Although minimally invasive, it is an outpatient procedure that typically takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

Although it is not a painful procedure, it is normal for patients to experience mild to moderate cramping as the uterus contracts during tissue removal. After the process, patients are normally placed under observation for a few hours to ascertain that no complications arise afterward.

Common side effects experienced after vacuum aspiration include cramping, nausea, sweating, dizziness, and bleeding. It is necessary to take some time off to recuperate as the procedure can cause significant discomfort.

Patients are required to avoid sex for at least a week following the procedure. Normal menstruation may resume after 4 to 6 weeks.

Dilation and Evacuation

Commonly known as D&E, this method of abortion is the most invasive one and is often recommended for pregnancies in the second trimester (after the 14th week). D&E abortions might be a viable option for you if you took too long deciding whether to have an abortion or if the fetus has developed abnormalities that put your life at risk or compromise its long-term survival.

The Procedure

This is often a lengthy procedure that typically takes place over two days. It uses a combination of suction devices, forceps, and D&C (dilation and curettage) tools.

First, the doctor dilates the cervix to facilitate the removal of pregnancy tissue. This step may take an entire day to accomplish.

On day two, the doctor removes the fetus and the placenta using a pair of forceps, then uses suction to clean out all the residual pregnancy tissue from the uterus. Finally, a curette is used to scrape the uterine lining.

This procedure may take up to 30 minutes to complete. It is quite painful, so numbing medication or anesthesia may be administered to minimize discomfort. Some of the side effects associated with D&E include vaginal bleeding, cramping, and nausea. Some of them may last up to two weeks after the procedure.

It is advisable to avoid strenuous exercise for one week, and sexual intercourse for about two weeks following the procedure. The patient’s normal menstrual cycle may resume after 4 to 8 weeks.

Abortion Methods for Late Second-Trimester and Third-Trimester Pregnancies

Although considerably riskier, pregnancies can be terminated successfully after the 24th week of pregnancy. Some consider pregnancies at 20 weeks to be “late-term” as well.

Induction Abortion

Late-term abortions are executed primarily using induction. An induction abortion becomes necessary when the pregnancy has advanced beyond the 16th-week mark when it is safe to carry out an induction abortion.

The Procedure

Patients receive medicine to induce labor. The medication forces the uterus to contract, thereby releasing the pregnancy. Afterward, a suction instrument or a curette is used to remove the pregnancy tissue from the uterus.

It is normal to feel intense cramps during this process. Usually, the staff at any Orlando Abortion Clinic would administer pain medication and sedatives like epidural to manage the pain. It is a lengthy process that may sometimes take longer than a day.

Some of the side effects to be expected include cramping, bleeding, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, and chills. Sex should be avoided for 2 to 6 weeks following the procedure, and normal menstruation may resume after 4 to 8 weeks.

Although complications are a rarity, the risk increases the further along your pregnancy is. However, even late-term abortions are not known to affect the woman’s ability to conceive later in life.

Getting the Right Healthcare Provider is Crucial

If you’re looking for an Abortion Clinic in Orlando that is capable of terminating pregnancies safely and effectively, we are here for you. With over 25 years of experience in the abortion clinic industry, we have invested a lot of resources in the latest technology to make first-trimester, second-trimester, and late-term abortions safe and affordable for all women.

Contact us on our website for more information or to schedule an appointment with a qualified doctor.

Dr James S Pendergraft | Orlando Women’s Center | Abortion Clinic Orlando | Abortion Clinic Tampa | Abortion Clinic Fort Lauderdale